Multipurpose faucet to release a water stream in two directions

ABSTRACT

A faucet includes a faucet pipe, a branch pipe, a fountain valve, and a fountain nozzle with a pressure compensating flow regulator wherein the faucet pipe having a proximal end to release a water stream in a downward direction through a lower channel and a branch pipe disposed within the faucet pipe to release the water stream in an upward direction through the fountain nozzle with the fountain valve configured within the proximal end of the faucet pipe to redirect the water stream to the branch pipe by gradually blocking and unblocking the upper channel of the branch pipe and wherein the pressure compensating flow regulator is disposed with the fountain opening to compensate the pressure of the water stream released from the fountain opening and control trajectory of the water stream discharged from the fountain opening.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally related to a faucet and more particularly to a faucet for releasing a water stream in two different directions.

BACKGROUND

Conventionally, a faucet includes a hot water knob and a cold water knob which can be used to control the flow of water though the faucet which is utilized for hand washing, face washing or utensil cleaning. However, the existing faucets are inconvenient to use for purposes other than conventional hand washing, unhygienic, and result into wasting a large amount of water.

Thus, in view of the above, there is a long-felt need in the industry to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present disclosure, a faucet is provided comprising: a faucet pipe having a free end to dispense water for utilitarian purposes; a branch channel disposed within the faucet pipe having a fountain opening to enable a user to drink water directly from a water stream discharged from the fountain opening when the water stream is directed through the branch channel and fountain opening; a fountain valve for blocking and unblocking an opening to the branch channel to direct the water stream to the branch channel and to the free end of the faucet pipe to control the water stream discharged from the free end of the faucet and the water stream entering the branch channel; and a fountain nozzle disposed with the fountain opening to reduce the water pressure of the water stream discharged from the fountain opening and control the trajectory of the water stream discharged from the fountain opening. With such an arrangement, a faucet to release a water stream in two directions is provided.

According to the embodiments illustrated herein, a faucet to release a water stream in two directions is provided. The faucet includes a faucet pipe, a branch pipe, a fountain valve, and a fountain nozzle with a pressure compensating flow regulator wherein the faucet pipe having a proximal end to release a water stream in a downward direction through a lower channel and a branch pipe disposed within the faucet pipe to release the water stream in an upward direction through the fountain nozzle with the fountain valve configured within the proximal end of the faucet pipe to redirect the water stream to the branch pipe by gradually blocking and unblocking the upper channel of the branch pipe and wherein the pressure compensating flow regulator is disposed with the fountain opening to compensate the pressure of the water stream released from the fountain opening and control trajectory of the water stream discharged from the fountain.

The details of one or more embodiments of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a multipurpose faucet in accordance with the disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a sectional view of the multipurpose faucet in accordance with the disclosure;

FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of the multipurpose faucet before a fountain nozzle and a rotary valve are attached;

FIG. 3 illustrates a sectional view of the multipurpose faucet showing the water flow with the fountain valve in a first position to allow the water flow through a branch channel to provide a water fountain;

FIG. 4 illustrates a sectional view of the multipurpose faucet showing the water flow with the fountain valve in a second position to allow the water flow through the exit channel; and

FIG. 5 illustrates an operational view of the multipurpose faucet as a water fountain with the proximal end blocked in accordance with the disclosure.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a multipurpose faucet 100 (also referred to as faucet 100) is shown to include a faucet pipe 102 with a cold water valve 110 and a hot water valve 112 disposed at a distal end of the faucet pipe 102. The latter are found in conventional water faucets and will not be discussed in detail. The faucet 100 further includes a fountain nozzle 20 and a fountain valve 108 when in an off position releases water though an opening 104 at a proximal end of the faucet 102 and when in an on position releases water using the fountain nozzle 20 through a fountain nozzle opening 106 as to be described further.

Referring now also to FIG. 2, a sectional view of the faucet 100 is shown with the various details of the faucet 100. The faucet pipe 102 has an inner channel 114 that narrows to a lower channel 116. The faucet pipe 102 also includes an upper channel 118 that is separated from the lower channel 116 by a channel wall 150. An opening 162 is disposed at a proximal end of the upper channel 118 and an opening 126 is disposed at a distal end of the upper channel 118. A proximal end of the lower channel 116 connects to the fountain valve 108 through opening 166 in a casting 152. The fountain valve 108 includes a rotary valve 130 with a stem 146 and openings 148 in the side walls of the rotary valve 130. The rotary valve 130 is disposed within the side walls 158 of the casting 152. The rotary valve 130 further includes two pins 144 which mate with holes 142 to prevent the base of rotary valve 130 from rotating when the stem 146 is moved. Referring now also to FIG. 2A, a fountain valve opening 170 in the faucet 100 accommodates the rotary valve 130 and when the rotary valve 130 is inserted into fountain valve opening 170, the rotary valve 130 is set so that pins 144 are inserted into holes 142. The fountain valve opening 170 includes an external wall 176 with an inner wall 172 having threads 174 formed on the inner wall 172. To secure the rotary valve 130 in the fountain valve opening 170, a threaded end cap 132 is screwed into the fountain valve opening 170 with the threads 174 mating with the threads of the of the threaded end cap 132. A cover 134 having threads to mate with the threads 174 is disposed over the threaded end cap 132 by screwing the cover 134 into the fountain valve opening 170. A fountain valve handle 136 is mated with the stem 146 so that a user can open and close the fountain valve 108.

To provide the fountain nozzle 20, a fountain housing 120 includes a fountain aerator 122 and a pressure compensating flow regulator 124 disposed within the fountain housing 120. The fountain housing 120 includes threads 22 provided on the exterior wall of the fountain housing 120 which mate with the threads 128 in the fountain housing opening 126 to secure the fountain nozzle 20 to the fountain housing opening 126. To fabricate the fountain nozzle 20, the fountain aerator 122 is placed in the fountain housing 120 and then the pressure compensating flow regulator 124 is pressed fit into the fountain housing 120. The fountain aerator 122 is a typical aerator selected for this particular application. The pressure compensating flow regulator 124 is selected to provide a suitable arch of water exiting the fountain nozzle opening 106 and for example a MR05 US type manufactured by Neoperl can be used. The angle of the fountain nozzle 20 is set to ensure the trajectory of a fountain arc, in combination with the pressure compensating flow regulator 124, provides a suitable fountain arc for drinking from without overshooting a sink. With the pressure reducing flow regulator 124 sitting below the fountain aerator 122 which controls the flow pressure, a consistent flow of water through the fountain nozzle 20 results in a consistent fountain height.

It should now be appreciated in accordance with the present disclosure, a faucet is provided including a faucet pipe having a free end to dispense water for utilitarian purposes, a branch channel disposed within the faucet pipe having a fountain opening to enable a user to drink water directly from a water stream discharged from the fountain opening when the water stream is directed through the branch channel and fountain opening, a fountain valve for blocking and unblocking an opening to the branch channel to direct the water stream to the branch channel and to the free end of the faucet pipe to control the water stream discharged from the free end of the faucet and the water stream entering the branch channel and a fountain nozzle disposed with the fountain opening to reduce the water pressure of the water stream discharged from the fountain opening and control the trajectory of the water stream discharged from the fountain opening.

Having described the details of the faucet 100, a description of the operation of the faucet 100 will follow. The faucet 100 discharges water through opening 104 when fountain valve 108 is closed and operates similar to typical household sink faucets. Unlike typical household sink faucets, faucet 100 also provides a fountain opening 106 where a water stream 30 is provided so that a user can drink water from the water stream 30 as shown in FIG. 5. The faucet pipe 102 includes a free or proximal end 40 to release a water stream in a downward direction through the opening 104 and the branch pipe or channel 118 disposed within the faucet pipe 102 having a fountain nozzle 20 to release the water stream in an upward direction through the fountain nozzle opening 106.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3A and 3B, the rotary valve 130 as part of the fountain valve 108 includes openings 148 in the side walls of the rotary valve 130. The rotary valve 130 also includes an opening 162′ and an opening 164′ at the bottom of the rotary valve 130 which mate with opening 162 and opening 166, respectively. When fountain valve 108 is in the open position, opening 162′ is in the open position where the opening 162′ is not blocked and the water stream traveling down channel 116 flows through rotary valve 130 and out the opening 162′ and through opening 162 to redirect the water stream to the upper channel 118 (shown in FIG. 3B) and out opening 126. As described above, the fountain valve 108 is a ceramic disc valve which utilizes a plurality of fire-hardened ceramic discs such as a movable upper ceramic disc, and a fixed lower ceramic disc. The movable upper disc and the fixed lower disc move against each other in a shearing action to block the water stream, or allow the water stream to pass through the opening in fountain valve 108. As shown in FIG. 3B, in the open position, the opening 162′ is open and not blocked and the opening 164′ is blocked so the water does not flow to opening 164.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 4, when fountain valve 108 is in the closed or normal position, opening 162′ is in the closed position where the opening 162′ is blocked. Instead, opening 1641 is in the open position where the opening 164′ is not blocked and the water stream traveling down channel 116 flows through rotary valve 130 and out the opening 164′ and through opening 164 to redirect the water stream toward the opening 104 (shown in FIG. 4) and out opening 104. The water stream will also flow through the sides of rotary valve 130 from one side to the other through the rotary valve 130.

In the shown embodiment, the faucet pipe 102 includes a casting 152 engineered to house the rotary valve 130 that releases the water stream in the downward direction or block the water stream to redirect it to the fountain opening depending upon it's open or closed position.

The pressure compensating flow regulator 124 is disposed with the fountain nozzle 20 to compensate the pressure of the water stream released from the fountain aerator 122 and control trajectory of the water stream discharged from the fountain nozzle 20. In an embodiment, the pressure compensating flow regulator 124 operates as a flexible orifice to ensure a predefined constant flow rate is maintained independent of the prevailing water line pressure.

In an embodiment, the branch pipe 102 includes a housing around the rotary valve 130, here a ceramic disc valve, to redirect the water stream when a water stream required in the upward direction. The branch pipe 102 further directs the water stream in the downward direction, by bypassing the fountain nozzle 20 entirely, to eliminate the need for a mechanism to prevent the water stream from exiting the fountain opening.

FIG. 2 illustrates a sectional view of the faucet 100, in accordance with at least one embodiment. The sectional view of the faucet 100 shows the branch pipe 118 (also referred to as the upper channel 118), the ceramic disc valve 130 (also referred to as rotary valve 130), the pressure compensating flow regulator 124, and a fountain aerator 122. The ceramic disk valve 130 gradually blocks and unblocks the proximal end 40 of the faucet pipe 102 to control the water stream discharged from the proximal end 104 of the faucet pipe 102 and the water stream entering to the branch pipe 118. In operation, when the faucet 100 is in normal operation, the faucet 100 functions as a normal water faucet. In an embodiment, a lever 136 is attached to the ceramic disk valve 130.

When the lever rotates ¼ turn, the water no longer discharges from the downspout aerator with opening 104 (shown in FIG. 3B) and the water stream is rerouted to the fountain aerator 122 to create the water fountain effect. In an exemplary embodiment, the fountain aerator 122 configured with the pressure compensating flow regulator 124 has a flow rate of 0.5 GPM (Gallons per Minute). The fountain aerator 122 is a low flow faucet aerator well suited for bathrooms, washing hands or face and rinsing after brushing one's teeth. In comparison to standard 2.2 GPM fountain aerators when using the faucet in normal faucet operating use, the 0.5 GPM aerator reduces the water flow rate by 77%. However, the present fountain aerator 122 can utilize various pressure compensating flow regulators 124 to compensate for various water pressures. For example, in case of normal water pressure, the present faucet can utilizes a 0.5 GPM pressure reducer, and in case of higher water pressure, a 1.4 GPM pressure compensating flow regulator 204 can be utilized for a higher fountain arc or to maintain a certain fountain arc height under greater pressure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a view of the multipurpose faucet with a blocked proximal end to create a water fountain, in accordance with at least one embodiment. If the fountain valve 108 is not completely (less than 100%) opened or closed, then the water steam passes through both the fountain nozzle opening 106 and the downspout aerator opening 104. For example, if the fountain knob 108 rotates 50%, then half the water stream passes through the fountain 106 and half the water stream passes through the downspout aerator opening 104. The arrows (FIG. 3B) and (FIG. 4) show the directions of the water flow. The water stream travels through a lower channel 210 toward the downspout aerator opening 104 when operating as a general faucet, and when the lever is rotated, the water stream is re-routed through an upper channel 118 to the fountain opening 106. This mechanism provides sufficient water pressure to pass through the fountain opening 106. However, the present faucet 100 utilizes a pressure compensating flow regulator 124 that has a pressure reducing capability in the fountain nozzle 20, which thereby reduces the water pressure as needed and generates a consistent height water fountain at the same time.

FIG. 5 illustrates an operational view of the faucet 100, in accordance with at least one embodiment. The operation view of the present faucet shows the water stream flows in upward direction as a fountain 30 through the fountain opening 106. The fountain capability of the present faucet 100 is convenient for rinsing after brushing one's teeth, drinking water, rinsing one's face, and even to serve as an emergency home eyewash station. By eliminating the need for using a drinking cup that may be dirty or one's hand to obtain water for rinsing or drinking, the present invention provides a hygienic multi-purpose fountain faucet.

No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

A number of embodiments of the disclosure have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A faucet comprising: a faucet pipe having a fountain housing opening, the faucet pipe comprising; an inner channel with a lower channel; an upper channel; a channel wall and a casting to separate the upper channel from the lower channel; the upper channel having a first opening disposed at a proximal end of the upper channel and a second opening disposed at a distal end of the upper channel, the second opening providing the fountain housing opening; a fountain valve for blocking and unblocking an opening to the upper channel to direct a water stream to the-upper channel and to a free end of the faucet pipe to control the water stream discharged from the free end of the faucet and the water stream entering the upper channel, the fountain valve connected to a proximal end of the lower channel, the fountain valve disposed within side walls of the casting, the fountain valve connecting the lower channel with the upper channel in a first position and connecting the lower channel with the free end of the faucet pipe in a second position; and a fountain nozzle disposed within the fountain housing opening, the fountain nozzle comprising: a fountain housing; a fountain aerator disposed within the fountain housing; and a pressure compensating flow regulator disposed with the fountain housing.
 2. The faucet of claim 1 wherein the fountain valve comprises: a rotary valve with a base and a stem and openings in side walls of the base of the rotary valve and the rotary valve mated with the casting to control a flow of water through the fountain valve when the stem is rotated.
 3. The faucet of claim 2 wherein the fountain valve comprises: two pins disposed on the rotary valve which mate with holes in the casting to prevent the base of rotary valve from rotating when the stem is moved.
 4. The faucet of claim 2 wherein the fountain valve is horizontal.
 5. The faucet of claim 1 wherein the upper channel comprises: a channel disposed within the faucet pipe to control water flow from the fountain valve to the fountain nozzle.
 6. A multipurpose faucet to release a water stream in two directions, the faucet comprising: a faucet pipe having a proximal end to release the water stream in a downward direction through a lower channel; a branch pipe having a first opening disposed at a proximal end of the branch pipe and a second opening disposed at a distal end of the branch pipe, the branch pipe disposed within the faucet pipe, the second opening providing a fountain opening to release the water stream in an upward direction through an upper channel; a channel wall and a casting to separate the upper channel from the lower channel; a fountain valve connected to the first opening of the branch pipe to redirect the water stream to the upper channel of the branch pipe by gradually blocking, and unblocking the proximal end of the faucet pipe; and a pressure compensating flow regulator disposed within the fountain opening to compensate the pressure of the water stream released from a fountain aerator for insufficient flow at lower pressure and excess flow at higher pressure, and control trajectory of the water stream discharged from the fountain aerator.
 7. The faucet according to claim 6, wherein the fountain valve comprises a ceramic disc valve which utilizes plurality of fire-hardened ceramic discs such as a movable upper ceramic disc, and a fixed lower ceramic disc.
 8. The faucet according to claim 7, wherein the movable upper disc and the fixed lower disc move against each other in a shearing action to block the water stream, or allow the water stream to pass through the branch pipe.
 9. The faucet according to claim 6, wherein the casting mates around a ceramic disc valve, wherein the casting includes an open end engineered to house the ceramic disc valve to release the water stream in the downward direction or block the water stream to redirect to the fountain opening.
 10. The faucet according to claim 6 wherein the branch pipe comprises a housing around a ceramic disc valve to redirect the water stream to an upper channel when a water stream is required in the upward direction.
 11. The faucet according to claim 10 wherein the fountain valve directs the water stream in the downward direction through a lower channel by bypassing the upper channel entirely to eliminate the need for a mechanism to prevent the water stream from exiting the fountain opening.
 12. The faucet according to claim 6 wherein an angle of the fountain aerator is provided to ensure a trajectory of a fountain arc, in combination with the pressure compensating flow regulator, provides a fountain arc for drinking from without overshooting a sink.
 13. A faucet comprising: a faucet pipe having a fountain housing opening, the faucet pipe comprising; an inner channel with a lower channel; an upper channel; a channel wall and a casting to separate the upper channel from the lower channel; the upper channel having a first opening disposed at a proximal end of the upper channel and a second opening disposed at a distal end of the upper channel; a fountain valve connected to a proximal end of the lower channel, the fountain valve including a rotary valve with a stem and opening on side walls of the rotary valve and disposed within side walls of the casting, the fountain valve connecting the lower channel with the upper channel in a first position and connecting the lower channel with a free end of the faucet pipe in a second position; and a fountain nozzle disposed within the fountain housing opening and connected to the upper channel, the fountain nozzle comprising: a fountain housing; and a fountain aerator disposed within the fountain housing.
 14. The faucet according to claim 13 wherein a diameter of the fountain nozzle, in combination with a height of the fountain nozzle, is used to create a water stream for a fountain arc without overshooting a sink. 